BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com

NEWTON – Sunflower Collegiate League All-Star Brady Michel ripped a homer and drove in three runs to spark the Great Bend Bat Cats past the Newton Rebels 12-8 in Thursday's baseball game.

The fourth-place Bat Cats (16-18, 15-16 Sunflower) return to Newton Friday night.

Michel started a 12-run night with a second-inning homer. Tyler Henry scored on an error. Newton's Sam Kissane doubled in Andrew Brautman and Kissane scored on an error for a 2-2 tie.

Michel's single started a three-run third inning. Sunflower All-Star Trent Touchet doubled home Michel. Henry singled in Touchet for a 5-2 lead. Newton's Hibiki Ouchi homered to bring in Lincoln Andrews and Joey Martinez for a 5-5 tie.

Bat Cat Seth Kenagy scored on an error and Michel singled in Collin Meinert for a 7-5 lead after four innings. Newton opened the door with a critical fifth-inning error. Chandler Bloomer and Chance Ragsdale scored on an error and Alex Rodgers singled in Kenagy.. Rodgers scored on a double steal with Meinert and Meinert scored on a wild pitch for a 12-5 lead.

The Bat Cats' defense worked out of trouble with two double plays. Second baseman Meinert and shortstop Kenagy turned a fifth-inning double play on Andrew Brautman. Third baseman Chance Ragsdale turned a sixth-inning double play on Nolan Riley's ground all. Newton's Andrews and Enzo Bonaventre scored on ninth-inning groundballs. 

BAT CATS 12, REBELS 8

Bat Cats 023 250 000 – 12 12 1

Newton 023 010 002 – 8 10 1

Richter, Henricks (8) and Touchet. Hockett, Landwehr (4), Paten (5), Knipfer (8) and Ouchi. W–Richter. L–Hockett. 2B–BC–Touchet, Baker; N–Andrews, Kissane. HR–BC–Michel; N–Andrews.

SUNFLOWER COLLEGIATE LEAGUE

Cheney Diamond Dawgs 23-5 29-5

Hutchinson Monarchs 23-5 25-5 

Rose Hill Sluggers 21-7 24-8

Great Bend Bat Cats 15-16 16-18

Derby Twins 11-16 11-18

Mulvane Patriots 10-18 12-18

Newton Rebels 9-17 12-18

Sunflower Seeds 8-20 8-20

Haysville Aviators 6-21 8-24

7-21–Hutchinson 1,  Cheney 0; Rose Hill 9, Mulvane 0; (nc) Liberal 16, Derby 6

7-22–Bat Cats 6, Newton 4; Cheney 6, Hutchinson 4; Mulvane 5, Rose Hill 4; Seeds 4, Haysville 2; Seeds 4, Haysville 3; (nc) Liberal 12, Derby 1

7-23–Bat Cats 12, Newton 8; Hutchinson 9, Cheney 6; Haysville 2, Seeds 1; Seeds 5, Haysville 2; Rose Hill 8, Mulvane 2

7-24–Bat Cats at Newton

7-25–Sunflower All-Star Game at Wichita's Eck Stadium